Supporting device for oil-well drive shafts



Oct. 20, 1925. 1,558,236

N. 5. BURTON SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR OIL WELL DRIVE SHAFTS Filed Feb. 19, 1925 gmwntoc,

l elson ,Bwron,

Patented Oct. 20, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT orr cs.

NELSON S. BURTON, OF ARDMORE, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR TO NINA BURTON,

CLAEKSB'URG, WEST VIRGINIA.

SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR OIL-WELL DRIVE SHAF'IS.

Application filed February 19, 1925. Serial No. 10,223.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELSON S. BURTON, citizen of the United States, residing at Ardmore, in the county of Carter and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supporting Devices for Oil-\Vell Drive Shafts, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide simple and effective means for centering and supporting the rotary driveshaft of an oil-well drilling-rig, so that the drive-shaft will not sway, or get out of position. It is customary, at present, to support the driveshaft by means of boards placed around it, but this method is very crude and cumbersome and ineffective and dangerous.

Vith this object in view, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, summarized in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, formin part of this specification.

The drawing illustrates a concrete embodiment of the underlying principles of my invention. Like reference-characters denote corresponding structural parts throughout the several views. Briefly described:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my drive-shaft supporting device in operative position with reference to the drive-shaft;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, the drive-shaft being shown in section; and- Figure 3 is a central vertical section through the supporting-device.

Referring, now, in detail to the drawing:

1 designates a vertically-disposed, rotary drive-shaft, to the lower end of which is serured the drilling-rig, as usual. The shaft is customarily square in cross section.

2 designates a disk, which is provided with a central square aperture 3, slightly larger than the width of the shaft 1, so that the latter passes loosely therethrough. The disk is split centrally, that is, diametrically, as shown at l, l, so as to present two sections or halves, whereby placing the disk around the shaft 1 is facilitated.

The disk 2'is also grooved circumferentially, as shown at 5, for the reception of a supporting-ring 6, which is likewise split,

as shown at 7, 7, into halves or sections. The two sections of the split ring 6 are provided, laterally, with ears or lugs S, which are aperturcd for the reception of bolts 9, nuts 10 being screwed on the threaded ends thereof, whereby the two ring-sections are held in assembled position with reference to the disk 2, which they support. iVhile I have shown in the drawing two bolts 9, 9, it is obvious, of course, that more may be used, if desired.

11 designates a plurality of screw-eyes, which are carried circumferentially of the ring 6. These screw-eyes are adapted to be engaged by snaphooks, or the like, carried at the ends of guy-wires 12 secured at their other ends to the oil-well derrick.

In operation, it will be understood that the disk-supporting ring 6 is held stationary, by means of the guy-wires, while the disk 2 revolves in and is supported by said ring, the disk being revolved by the drive-shaft 1; and it will be seen that the shaft 1 is thereby properly supported and centered,

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

i. In oil-well drilling apparatus, means for supporting the vertical rotary drivshaft of the oil-well rig, said means comprising a stationary ring, in two sections, and a disk, in two sections, revolnbly supported by said ring and having a central openin for the reception of the drive-shaft.

2. ln oil-well drilling apparatus, means for supporting the vertical rotary driveshaft of the oil-well rig, said means com prising a disk, in two sections, having a central opening, for the reception of the drive-shaft, and a circumferential groove, and a stationary supporting-ring, in two sections, loosely fittin in said groove.

3. In oil-well drilling apparatus, means for supporting the vertical rotary driveshaft of the oil-well rig, said means comprising a disk, in two sections, having a central opening, for the reception of the drive-shaft, and a circumferential groove, and a stationary supporting-ring, in two sections, loosely fitting in said groove and carrying circumferentially members adapted to be connected with guy-wires,

i. In oil-Well drilling apparatus, means for supporting the vertical rotary driveshaft of the oil-Well rig, said means comprising a disk, in two sections, having a central opening, for the reception of the drive-shaft, and a oircun'iferential groove, and a stationary supportingring, in two sections, loosely fitting in said groove and cariying screw-eyes oircuinferentially thereof adapted to be connected With giq -wires. 10

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

NELSON S. BURTON. 

